Scoring sweet swag, reviewing awesome products and living the rad mom life.

Posts tagged ‘bibravepro’

Disclaimer: I received a set of Aftershokz Aeropex headphones to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

If you follow me on social media, then you already know how much I love my Aftershokz headphones! I literally take them everywhere and recommend them to all my friends (and even strangers, ha!) If you aren’t sure what makes Aftershokz so special, they utilize a unique technology known as “bone conduction”. Basically this means that the sounds travel by vibrations through cheekbones into the ear. In other words, the device goes OVER your ears rather than IN your ears which is beneficial in many ways.

My daughter even loves them and I love that her ears are protected.

I was previously using the Trekz Air model of Aftershokz which I absolutely loved! They stayed in place and I didn’t have to worry about anything falling out of my ears while out running PLUS they have great sound quality and long battery life. So when I had the opportunity to try out the new Aftershokz Aeropex model, I jumped on the chance because I needed to see how much more awesome these babies could get.

Each package contains: one set of headphones, two charging cables, ear plugs, instructions, and a sleek carrying case.

So what were the major differences between the Trekz Air and Aeropex? I couldn’t wait to find out!

Aeropex on the left vs. Trekz Air on the right

The first thing I noticed was the carrying case was smaller, sleeker, and also magnetic. It’s much easier to fit into my purse or gym bag! The other noticeable difference is the charging cable. It is not a standard cable and it is specific to this model of Aftershokz – BUT the good news is that you get TWO of them! So don’t worry, you have a backup! Why is the cable so different? It’s actually magnetic which allows for the water resistant capabilities of the headphones. They are given the IP67 rating which means they can be submerged in water up to a meter deep for a half hour.

Charging magnetically

After I charged them up, I took them for a spin around the track on a super hot/humid day. Even though I was sweating like crazy, the headphones held up and didn’t miss a beat. Compared to the Trekz Air, the sound quality is definitely louder and crisper. They also felt smoother and fit more comfortably than the Trekz Air. And “Audrey” is still there to welcome you and let you know when it’s time to charge up. 🙂

Jumping for joy over the Aeropex! 🙂

I really like running with Aftershokz because I like to “Be Open”. In other words, you can listen to your music, podcast, or book and hear your surroundings at the same time. So my next adventure was to take them on a nature walk!

Be Open – listen to your music and your surroundings.

Then it was off to the gym! And not just any gym – the family gym! This little gadget allows me to listen to some blood-flowing music AND my kids complaining all at the same time! HA! But seriously, I like that I can enjoy my workout music and be aware of my kids while at the gym.

They are comfortable to wear with a hat and/or shades, too!

The other thing I love about these headphones is the battery life! They have an 8-hour batter life or 10 days of standby time. And that is completely true! I love that I don’t have to worry about plugging them in each night. I can leave them in my bag and then charge them up once a week or so. One less thing to remember is always a plus for me! 😉

Was there anything I felt that needed improvement? For me, the Bluetooth range for my Aeropex was not as long as my Trekz Air. They are both advertised to have 33ft of connectivity, but I definitely was able to wander a bit further with my Trekz Air over the Aeropex. It’s not a huge deal, I pretty much always have my phone close – but just an observation.

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So, what’s the price? They go for $159.95 plus free shipping AND a 2-year warranty. Personally, I think this is a great deal as I see it as an investment. You are saving your eardrums and you will have peace of mind knowing that you have better situational awareness wherever you go! But wait! There’s more! 🙂 Right now you can save $50 on the Endurance bundle with code “BRBUNDLE”. So you basically get free SWAG! 😉 Don’t miss out! Go to bibrave.aftershokz.com to save right now!

Overall, I love the new Aeropex headphones and they will for sure have a permanent spot in my bag.

“Disclaimer: I received an annual Strava Summit subscription and Strava merchandise to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

Strava (Swedish for “strive”) is a popular app used by runners and cyclists. I’ve had an account for a while but never really took advantage of the functions or interacted with the other users (I literally had zero connections or recent activity). Well I just started using the app again and have learned a few things over the last month!

You can name your runs! Once your run or activity is uploaded, you can customize the description as well as the actual title of your run for quick reference.

Analyze your route! Once your run is added you can check out your route and analyze how you could make any adjustments. You can track your pace, distance, heart rate, and set new goals for yourself.

You can see more and change extra settings on the website (not the app). You can do a lot with the app, but you can do even more with the desktop version. I feel kinda “meh” about this. I prefer to be able to access everything through an app so I don’t have to switch platforms, but it’s not a huge deal. One cool thing you can do through the desktop settings is change your “Vanity URL” from a generic number to a preferred name!

You can join challenges and clubs! Aside from connecting with other runners/cyclists, you can create or join clubs and also join challenges to help you reach goals. You can also set goals for yourself, keep track of your shoe mileage, and earn badges!

And my favorite thing about the app so far? Stats overlay! Besides the ability to give kudos to other runners (who doesn’t love virtual encouragement?), my next fave app feature is the ability to upload photos and add the stats right on to your picture. Before this, I was using another app and manually inputting stats so I have definitely been taking advantage of this function. A couple of tips here: 1. You’ll have to make your activity shareable – it won’t work if it’s marked to private. 2. Horizontal photos work better so you don’t have to do any extra cropping for the social media platforms.

What about you? Are you on Strava? What do you love about it?

Looking for an upcoming challenge? Join the Bibrave crew for a streak in May! Streaking is a fun way to challenge yourself and find your stride. Run or walk one mile each day in May and track it on Strava! It’s a great time to streak because you will have lots of support! Post your streak on the socials with the hashtag #StravaRun so we can all cheer you on!

I’m excited to learn more about Strava so check back next month for another update!

Until then I’ll be adding stats overlay to aaaallllllll the running photos. 😉

Disclaimer: I received a Zwift running pod to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Happy New Year! Maybe you set some ambitious goals for 2019 or maybe your main goal is just to survive the year. Whatever your plans are, I hope you make some time for running! 😉 And now that the holidays are over, it might be time to slide into a new fitness routine. With the weather getting colder and the days getting shorter, this may seem like a daunting task but that’s where Zwift comes in!

What exactly is Zwift? Zwift has been available to indoor cyclists for a while, but now it’s open to runners! Zwift is a platform that allows you to run in virtual locations, run virtually with others, and even complete running goals! You just attach the runpod to your shoe, download the Zwift app (and Zwift companion app to join in virtual events around the world), hop on a treadmill and off you go!

Not sure where to begin? Here are a few tips to get started!

Like I mentioned before, you’ll want to download both the Zwift app and the companion app. The Zwift app is where you set up your account, avatar, settings, etc. and also where you do all of the actual running and goal-getting. The companion app is where you will go to browse and sign-up for group runs and other events.

You can use your phone, but it’s better to use a tablet so you can see the info on the screen clearly as you run.

Calibrate your pod so that your pace is accurately recorded.

Make sure your pod is securely attached to your shoe before running. And put your pod away when not in use as the battery drains pretty quickly from any movement.

What I LOVED about the Zwift platform:

The calendar. When you select an event to join, it will automatically be added to your device’s calendar. (I’m a planner and like to be organized so I got pretty excited about this feature.)

You can run with friends from around the world. Since I live in a different country than most of my running friends as well as my Bibrave crew, I miss out on meetups and group runs. But Zwift allows me to feel connected to my running friends from around the world.

Unlocking achievements! The more you run and surpass goals, the more achievements you can earn. These come in the form of virtual badges or gaining new apparel and accessories for your avatar. Running on the treadmill can get boring, so any incentive is nice!

New scenery. The main virtual location on the platform is “Watopia”, but the beach view, volcanic activity, and Santa sightings make this a pretty dope place to run. When you join in on other virtual runs (through the Companion app) you can run in various real-world locations.

Competition. If you’ve ever participated in a race then you know the increased adrenaline you feel on race day. Running virtually gave me a similar experience and made me want to push harder so I could receive my “prize” (i.e. a new achievement, passing others in the race, or just knowing that my stats were on display wanting to do my best.) I’m sure there’s some type of psychology behind all this – which also got me excited because I was a Psych major. 😉

With that said, there were also a few things that I didn’t like:

The battery on the pod drained pretty quickly so you can’t really just leave it on your shoe, you have to take it off each time and put it away. It would be better if there was some type of on/off switch for the pod OR if you could just bypass the pod altogether and sync your watch with the platform.

You have to download two apps. I would prefer if the platform was streamlined a bit so that everything was in one place rather than having to open two separate apps.

I had to calibrate my pod a few times. It takes a couple of minutes to go through the calibration process so it’s a bit frustrating when you just want to start running.

It’s not for walkers. My avatar would only recognize motion if I was running at least a 10:45 min/mile. Those who are new to running would most likely not benefit from this app.

Since the running aspect of the platform is fairly new, I do think these are kinks that can be worked out in the near future as the app develops. Overall, I really like the concept of Zwift and plan to use it when I need some motivation on the treadmill!

Ready to try it out?! You can download the app for free on your IOS or Android device. You can also use code “BibRave15” to save 15% on your RunPod (regular price – $29.99) at Zwift.com. (Hurry, this code is only good for 1000 pods!)

Lastly, join me on #BibChat on Twitter on January 8th at 6pm PST where you can ask any Zwift questions and connect with other runners! You will also have the chance to win a RunPod!

***Disclaimer: I received a Spibeams LED hat to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

The air is getting crisper, the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air, and it’s getting darker earlier. My favorite time of year is here – AUTUMN! However, this also means that I have less opportunities to run in the daylight. (Booooo). But I was happy to discover that SPIbelt came out with a SPIbeams LED hat! Keep reading and you might even find a promo code! 😉

I was even more excited about the brightness of this little hat! Typically, if I run in the dark I run with the flashlight of my phone. This is not the most convenient option, in fact it’s pretty annoying and I don’t recommend it. The SPIbeams hat made my running life so much easier! When you first receive your hat, you just pull the tab to activate the battery and you’re good to go! Turn on the front lights with a quick click on the bill of the hat and it’s time to run! That easy!

And there’s more! The back of the hat displays red lights that can either stay on continuously or they can blink. Either way, it’s also activated with a simple click of a button located on the Velcro portion.

How does it hold up during runs though? Well, it’s very lightweight and flexible (i.e. great for traveling). And while I used it in cooler weather, I think it would be great for summer evening or early morning runs since it’s made from a cool/moisture-wicking material. And since I usually run with trucker hats, I did have to run with it a couple of times to figure out the most comfortable position on my head.

Overall, I think this would be a great addition to any athlete’s accessory stash (hint, hint: stocking stuffers for your running friends). I used it for running, but it would also be great for hiking, bike riding, or really while engaging in any outdoor evening activity. I will definitely be using this on future evening runs and saving the flashlight (and battery) on my phone. I do think it would be great if there were kid versions of the hats so the whole family could be safe!

Also, the batteries are replaceable and the battery pack comes out so you can hand wash the hat and let it air dry. The hat comes in 3 colors: Lime, Hot Pink, and Black and runs for $29.99 on spibelt.com. Plus free shipping on all U.S. orders!

And guess what? There’s a promo code! Woo hoo! Use code “BIBRAVE” to save 20% on any SPIbelt item.

Also, join me on #Bibchat on Twitter on Tuesday, November 6th at 6pm PST for your chance to win your own SPIbeams hat.

“Disclaimer: I received a pair of OOfos OOmg Fibre Low Shoes to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

Something that I’ve realized during my running experience is that you must take care of your feet! Foot issues can lead to knee issues which can lead to hip issues which can lead to back issues. So when new runners ask me where to start, I usually recommend to go to a running specialty store and get fitted for a proper shoe. And now that I’ve increased my running distance over the years, I’ve found that proper recovery is also an important aspect of exercise. And one of my favorite recovery tools are OOfos recovery shoes!

I’ve been using my OOfos sandals for a couple of years now, so I was excited when a new women’s OOmg Fibre Low Shoe was released! Here are my top 3 reasons why you should get low 😉 in the new OOmg Fibre shoes!

OOfoam – OOfoam is this magical foam technology that “absorbs 37% more impact than other footwear foams. OOfoam impact absorbing recovery technology has been scientifically proven to reduce stress on your body while walking, allowing you to recover faster after a workout and feel better all day.” (from oofos.com)

I know this might sound too good to be true, but these little foam shoes really felt like walking on clouds! I spent a whole day standing at a Japanese festival and my feet were dead by the time I got home. So the first thing I did the next day was slip into my OOfos and my feet felt instant relief. I have arch issues so the cradle design was much appreciated!

Socks or no socks– Another great thing about the OOfos OOmg Fibre Low shoes is that that they are versatile which means you can choose to wear them with or without socks. I tried them both ways and overall I preferred them without socks just because I felt like it allowed the shoe to better conform to my feet. But I did like throwing them on right after a run and relaxing in my socks sometimes, too! They are also pretty lightweight and super flexible which makes them nice for travel purposes.

Project Pink– Just to add to the amazingness of these shoes is that 3% of all sales from OOfos.com go to breast cancer research through the cause called Project Pink. And for every pair of shoes sold from the Project Pink collection, OOfos will donate $10 to Project Pink. So not only are you gaining an awesome pair of recovery footwear, you are making a difference at the same time!

Overall, I was really pleased with these shoes. Any foot soreness instantly diminished as soon as I slipped these on! I just wished they came in more colors!

Price: $139.95 – this may seem a little pricey, but I do think it is important to invest in your feet especially if you are an athlete or just on your feet a lot (i.e. nurses, teachers, etc.)

Disclaimer: I received two pairs of Knockaround Premium Polarized Sunglasses to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Winter is finally fading away, Spring is ramping up, and Summer is right around the corner. What does that mean?? It means the SUN is coming out and shining brighter than ever (for real, the sun shines bright at 5:30 am here in Japan). So it’s perfect timing to test out some new shades! I chose the Rubber Mint/Aqua Preumium Polarized Knockaround sunglasses to try, but I also received a bonus pair! Yay for SWAG! 🙂

I’m all about wearing sunglasses and I feel like you can never have too many pairs! Another fun fact about Japan – people here don’t wear sunglasses! That’s right, even on a bright day you’ll see most people wearing hats or holding umbrellas to block the sun. If you catch anyone in shades, chances are they are a tourist, an expat, or Yakuza (Japanese mafia). It’s also Wisteria season here and these flowers create very whimsical scenery!

When I first saw the black frames, I kind of thought they had a masculine appearance…but I actually liked how they looked with the green lenses! I always like to have a black pair of shades in my stash because black goes with almost anything!

After “knocking around” in my black frames, I took the Rubber Mint/Aqua shades for a spin! I took them around Japan and despite the light-colored lenses, these did a really great job of blocking out the sun! And even though the word “rubber” is in the description, they are really smooth and don’t pull your hair or anything.

Then I had to put them to the true test – How would they do on a RUN?

These sunglasses are super lightweight, so I was surprised that they didn’t budge during my run – and they even held up in the wind! I also didn’t have any issues with the lenses fogging up which is something that can be super annoying.

And the best part about Knockaround sunglasses? They are SUPER affordable! The Polarized Premiums are only $20! I’ve lost expensive sunglasses in the past plus I have small children who have complete disregard for my accessories, so I don’t have to stress too much if I lose these guys (although I would still be sad).

Here are some other things I love about these Polarized Premium Knockarounds:

Bigger frames – I like larger lenses so it blocks out more of the sun!

Overall, I really like these sunglasses and plan to wear them frequently! The only negative I found was that the lenses weren’t the easiest to clean, but I may try a different cloth and see if that works.

And just to make things sweeter, you can save 20% on your own pair with code “BIBRAVEKNOCKS”! Plus free shipping on orders over $50!

And join me on #Bibchat on Twitter on 5/8/18 at 6PM PST for your chance to win a pair! 🙂

So are you ready to “knock around” in a new pair of shades?? This guy is…

“Disclaimer: I received a free virtual race entry to the San Jose 408K as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

Living in Japan has been pretty great, but one downfall is that there aren’t as many local races as there are back in the states. That’s why virtual races can often be a good option for those living afar, or maybe for those who don’t want to run with large crowds. I recently ran the San Jose 408k and I was asked a few times, “How does a virtual race work?” Well, here are the steps to running your own virtual race!

Step 1: Choose your run – The first thing you will need to do is decided which race you want to run. I usually look for an event that contributes to a charity that I like and that also has good swag. I really like the 408k because the benefitting charity for the 7th year in a row is the Pat Tillman Foundation! And sign up early or look for a promo code to save a few bucks! Bibrave is currently offering $10 off with code “Bibrave”! You can still register until September 16th!

Step 2: Find a friend – You are going to need accountability since you are doing this thing on your own. Running a race in person provides running support and an adrenaline rush that’s hard to duplicate when running a virtual race. So it’s good to find a virtual running partner to sign up with you or even better- find a local friend and you guys can run together in person! I didn’t have a local friend to run the 408k with me, but a couple of other BibRave Pros also participated which kept me accountable during my training and on “race day”.

Step 3: Find a Venue – The great thing about in-person races such as the 408k is that the course is already all marked out for you and usually includes some pretty nice scenery to keep the race interesting. For instance, the 408k ends at Santana Row (a high-end shopping/dining area) and it’s the only event that finishes there. So you’ll need to decide on your own (or with that friend from Step 2) where exactly you will be running. Since the 8k is kind of an odd distance (4.97 miles), it’s probably best to run with a watch so you can measure your distance either before hand or during the run. My plan was to run my 8k on the track, but I ended up having to hit the treadmill due to rain.

Step 4: Train! – Even though you aren’t running in person and won’t win any timing awards (well technically you’ll place 1st in everything if it’s just yourself) 😉 – You will still need to train so that you can run your best race – because it’s still YOUR race after all. So give yourself enough time to train, especially if you’re just starting out with running.

Step 5: Race Day!- Once you’re all set with your training, it’s time to prep and run! The cool thing about virtual races is that you can pick any day and time to run. Not a morning person? You can run at night! Have a busy weekend? You can run during the week! For the 408k I tried to run on the actual day the race was happening (March 4th), but I ended up running the day after. Also, unlike a lot of other virtual races, you can still run the 408k as a Remote Runner even though the event has already taken place. So you don’t have to suffer from any FOMO. 🙂 And here’s how I prepped for my 8K!

Step 6: Share your results! – Now it’s time to show off your hard work! Take a pic of your time and post it on your social media channels! Some events will even have special incentives for virtual races – i.e. all virtual runners email their times to the race director or post them to the Facebook page and fastest times win a prize. The San Jose 408k didn’t offer this type of incentive, but maybe it will in the future!

Step 7: Collect your swag! Another benefit of running a race remotely is that you don’t have to wait in any long lines or go to any crowded expos to get your swag. Everything is conveniently mailed to you either before or after the race. I’m still waiting on my swag, but here is what the SWAG looks like! You can also opt to add on other things such as extra shirts, a tote bag, or a hat.

And that’s it! Congratulations! You completed your virtual race! Now you can go celebrate with a post-race brunch (or dinner depending on what time of day you ran). Then rest up for the next one!

So what’s another incentive of running the San Jose 408k as a remote runner? It will qualify you for a bonus medal if you decide to complete the Run the Bay Challenge series and run the Silicon Valley Half! Yay, more SWAG!